Advances in point-of-care and molecular techniques to detect waterborne pathogens

Abstract: Rapid and precise detection of waterborne pathogens is critical for effective public health management and environmental safety. Traditional methods for water quality monitoring, considered the “Gold Standard,” are time-consuming, costly, and rely on centralized laboratories and expertise. These methods are impractical for on-site, real-time monitoring, and requiring further improvements. This review explores various waterborne pathogens and cutting-edge molecular detection techniques. It highlights the growing importance of point-of-care and point-of-application methods to expedite results and improve health risk management. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification emerges as a reliable, rapid, and accessible tool in the realms of on-site diagnostics and surveillance. Moreover, the review emphasizes the crucial role of water sample preparation and in-field nucleic acid isolation in augmenting pathogen detection to enable precise assessments of water quality. The advancement of these techniques will guarantee access to safe water and improve the management of waterborne diseases.